Abstract: A process for converting coal to liquid hydrocarbonaceous products involving a liquefaction reaction in the presence of a coal derived recycle slurry and a non-coal derived solvent comprising a hydrocarbonaceous oil or distillation bottom residue thereof intrinsically contaminated with greater than 300 ppm total of vanadium and nickel. The liquefaction reaction is performed under hydrogen pressure (approximately 500-4000 psi) and under elevated temperature (approximately 300.degree.-500.degree. C.) using a weight ratio of non-coal derived solvent to coal of about 1/1 or less. The conversion of coal to liquids is greatly enhanced by the use of such a non-coal derived solvent under these conditions.

Abstract: An improved visbreaking process having a lower utilities (heating fuel) cost is disclosed. The feed stream is heated by indirect heat exchange against the bottoms stream of a first fractionation column, which receives the effluent of the visbreaking heater. A portion of this bottoms stream is then used as quench. This quench stream is hotter and has a higher flow rate than previous designs. The feed is heated to a higher temperture by the indirect heat exchange and therefore less fuel is required in the visbreaker fired heater.

Abstract: A treatment of highly viscous and very dense oils at the oil field to effect their desalting, and resulting in the production of an easily transportable hydrocarbon mixture of reduced viscosity, comprising the steps of:(a) diluting the crude oil with a hydrocarbon cut obtained in step (d);(b) subjecting the effluent from step (a) to a desalting-dehydration treatment;(c) subjecting the effluent from step (b) to hydrovisbreaking; and(d) distilling the effluent from step (c), and recycling a hydrocarbon cut to step (a), the remaining part forming a synthetic crude oil of reduced viscosity.

Abstract: A thermal cracking process for producing olefins from hydrocarbons which comprises the steps of burning hydrocarbons with less than the theoretical amount of oxygen in the presence of steam to give a hot gas of from 1400.degree. to 300.degree. C. comprising steam and hydrogen prior to reaction; feeding to the hot gas comprising the steam and hydrogen, a mixture of methane and hydrogen so that the methane/hydrogen molar ratio in said hot gas is over 0.05; further feeding a starting hydrocarbon to the hot gas mixture comprising the methane, hydrogen and steam; subjecting the starting hydrocarbon to thermal cracking while keeping the partial pressure of hydrogen at least 0.1 bar at the outlet of a reactor, the temperature at 800.degree. to 1200.degree. C., and the residence time at 5 to 300 milliseconds; and quenching the resulting reaction product.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing olefines by thermally cracking hydrocarbons, there is disclosed a thermal cracking method for producing olefines from hydrocarbons, characterized in that hydrocarbon is burnt with oxygen in the presence of steam to generate a high-temperature gas containing steam of 1500.degree.-3000.degree. C.; methane and hydrogen are supplied into the high-temperature gas containing said steam, with the molar ratio of methane to hydrogen in said high-temperature gas being 0.05 or more, then hydrocarbon to be cracked is supplied into said high-temperature gas containing said methane, hydrogen and steam, so that the hydrocarbon is subjected to thermal cracking by maintaining the partial pressure of hydrogen at more than at least 0.1 bar at the outlet of a reactor, under conditions of reaction temperature, 800.degree.-1200.degree. C. and residence time in the reactor 5-300 milli second, and then the reaction product is cooled in a rapid manner.

Abstract: A thermal cracking method for producing olefins from hydrocarbons which comprises the steps of mixing said hydrocarbons with a mixed gas of methane and hydrogen in a methane/hydrogen mol ratio of 0.2 or more; prior to reaction carrying out a thermal cracking reaction under conditions such that the total concentration of methane and hydrogen is at least 40 mol % or more at the outlet of a reactor, the partial pressure of said hydrogen is 3 bars or more, the temperature at the outlet of the reactor is from 800.degree. to 1200.degree. C., and the residence time in the reactor is from 5 to 300 milliseconds; and quenching the reaction product discharged through the outlet of the reactor.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon oil to be processed is subjected to a treatment at elevated temperature and superatmospheric pressure in the presence of dispersed solids and molecular hydrogen and recycled hydrogen donor oil. By this treatment, a certain part of the asphaltenes absorbed on the solids may be coked. The product of that donor solvent hydrovisbreaking (DSV) is distilled. The distillate or distillates is or are catalytically hydrogenated. The visbreaking residue is used for the production of hydrogen. The hydrogenated products are separated in hydrocarbon fractions and are then processed further to fuels and/or petrochemical products and a part of the hydrogenated products is recycled as inherent donor solvent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed in which a heavy hydrocarbon oil is converted to lighter products by hydrocracking in the presence of a hydrogen donor material boiling from 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. and a particulate hydrogenation catalyst comprising one of cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, tungsten and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbons are upgraded and cracked in a process comprising contacting the heavy hydrocarbons with olefins containing 5 or less carbon atoms and a solvent, at a temperature both sufficient for cracking and greater than or equal to the critical temperature of the solvent.

Abstract: A process for demetallation and desulfurization of resids by visbreaking an admixture of resids, particulate solids, and steam and/or hydrogen, and then subjecting the visbroken mixture to high temperature settling and separating to provide a first vapor product, a liquid product, and a recycled underflow solids stream. The process further comprises coking the liquid product to produce a second vapor product and coke and then distilling the combined first and second vapor products to yield a plurality of demetallized and desulfurized liquid hydrocarbon products. A fraction of the recycled underflow from the settler/separator is removed as a purge stream and burned for recovery of heat and metals. If hydrogen is used in the visbreaking step, the first vapor product is condensed to separate the hydrogen for recycling.

Abstract: A process for upgrading heavy crude comprises the hydroconversion of asphaltenes and resins in the presence of steam and ammonia at high temperatures, followed by deasphalting to eliminate metals and remaining asphaltenes. By way of the process of the present invention, conversion of asphaltenes and resins is accomplished while at the same time insuring a low formation of gases and coke so as to obtain an end product with a high yield of distillates and low metal content. The process is particularly suitable for any type of heavy crude, for example those of the Orinoco zone, which possess a high content of asphaltenes and metals.

Abstract: Coal, petroleum residuum and similar carbonaceous feed materials are subjected to hydroconversion in the presence of molecular hydrogen to produce a hydroconversion effluent which is then subjected to one or more separation steps to remove lower molecular weight liquids and produce a heavy bottoms stream containing high molecular weight liquids and unconverted carbonaceous material. The viscosity of the bottoms streams produced in the separation step or steps is prevented from increasing by treating the feed to the separation step or steps with hydrogen sulfide gas prior to or during the separation step or steps. The viscosity of the heavy bottoms stream produced in the final separation step is also controlled by treating these bottoms with hydrogen sulfide gas.

Abstract: A catalyst suited for use in the sweetening of petroleum distillates (by oxidizing mercaptans to disulfides) which is formed of a metal complex of a polyaminoalkylpolycarboxylic acid deposited directly on a basic anion exchange resin. The method of making the source by exchanging a metal cation on an acidic resin; forming a complex by the action of a polyaminoalkylpolycarboxylic acid upon said resin; and exchanging the complex so formed on a basic anion exchange resin.

Abstract: Coal, petroleum residuum and similar carbonaceous feed materials are subjected to hydroconversion in the presence of molecular hydrogen to produce a hydroconversion effluent which is then subjected to one or more separation steps to remove lower molecular weight liquids and produce a heavy bottoms stream containing high molecular weight liquids and unconverted carbonaceous material. The viscosity of the bottoms streams produced in the separation step or steps is prevented from increasing rapidly by treating the feed to the separation step or steps with ammonia gas prior to or during the separation step or steps. The viscosity of the heavy bottoms stream produced in the final separation step is also controlled by treating these bottoms with ammonia gas. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the effluent from the hydroconversion reactor is subjected to an atmospheric distillation followed by a vacuum distillation and the feeds to these distillations are contacted with ammonia during the distillations.

Abstract: A process is described for the hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon oils which permits pitch conversions of over 90%, and preferably over 95%. A slurry of a heavy hydrocarbon oil and carbonaceous additive particles, such as coal, is passed in the presence of hydrogen through a confined vertical hydrocracking zone at high temperatures and pressures. An effluent which is almost entirely a gaseous phase is removed from the top of the hydrocracking zone, while a drag stream is removed from the remaining liquid in the hydrocracking zone. The top effluent has the advantage of being substantially free of pitch and metals, with the unreacted carbonaceous additives, metals and any unconverted pitch being all concentrated in the drag stream.

Abstract: An improved process for hydrocracking petroleum residuals wherein total conversion and the yield of lower boiling range products are increased. The hydrocracking is accomplished in the presence of a hydrogen donor solvent and molecular hydrogen. The conversion is accomplished at a pressure within the range from about 1500 to about 2500 psig and at a temperature within the range from about 800.degree.to about 850.degree. F. Operation at these conditions is essential to achieving the increased conversion and the increased yield of lower boiling liquid products.While the present invention has been described and illustrated by reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the same lends itself to variations not necessarily illustrated herein. For this reason, then, references should be made solely to the appended claims for purposes of determining the true scope of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved process for producing ethane from aromatic hydrocarbons is described. Hydrogen and the hydrocarbons are introduced into a catalytically inert reactor zone and are reacted under closely controlled conditions which provide an enhanced yield of ethane.

Abstract: A hydrotreated petroleum residuum is coked in the presence of coal to improve the yield and quality of the liquid coker products. The coal is preferably of low rank with a carbon content below 75 weight percent with best results being obtained with sub-butuminous coals. The coke product may also be of improved purity, especially with respect to sulfur and metal (especially Ni, V) content.

Abstract: An improved process for hydrocracking petroleum residuals wherein total conversion and the yield of lower boiling range products are increased. The hydrocracking is accomplished in the presence of a hydrogen donor solvent comprising substantially all of the liquid product having an initial boiling point substantially equal to the final boiling point of the liquid product recovered from the hydrocracked product and, generally, within the range from about 600.degree. F. to about 750.degree. F. and molecular hydrogen. The conversion is accomplished at a pressure within the range from about 1500 to about 2500 psig and at a temperature within the range from about 800.degree. to about 880.degree. F. Operation at these conditions is essential to achieving the increased conversion and the increased yield of lower boiling liquid products.

Abstract: A process for liquefying and gasifying coal by thermal treatment in the presence of hydrogen gas for hydrocracking is disclosed. The process comprises a sequence of the following two steps:(1) coal fines are injected into a heated hydrogen gas stream at a pressure of from 35 to 250 kg/cm G such that they are rapidly heated to a temperature of from 750.degree. to 1100.degree. C. for thermal cracking thereof; and(2) the resulting liquid product is subjected to hydrocracking for a period of from 1.0 to 60 seconds at a temperature that is lower than the temperature used in the first step and which is in the range of from 570.degree. to 850.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for hydroconversion of solid carbonaceous material including a solids containment set of streams wherein a hydrocarbon solvent contacts the solid carbonaceous material for dissolution and hydroconversion combined with a method of hydrogenation.

Abstract: In a coal liquefaction process, coal is admixed with about 1.0% to about 5.0% of lignin, based on the weight of the coal. In an alternative embodiment, feed of a resid processing method is admixed with 0.01% to 10% of lignin based on the weight of the coal.

Abstract: This process for converting a charge of heavy oils or petroleum residues to gaseous and distillable hydrocarbons comprises the steps of (a) admixing said charge with a first hydrogenated recycle oil obtained in a subsequent step of the process, heating the mixture to 350.degree.-450.degree. C., admixing it with a reducing gas at a temperature of at least 800.degree. C. and maintaining a temperature of 530.degree.-850.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 20 bars for 0.1 to 60 seconds (b) admixing the resultant product with a second hydrogenated recycle oil whose temperature is lower than 300.degree. C., thereby decreasing the temperature of the resultant mixture to less than 450.degree. C., then contacting it with a steam-hydrogen stream, thereby vaporizing at least 80% of the liquid to a gaseous phase (c) treating the unvaporized remaining fraction with oxygen and steam to form a reducing gas at a temperature of at least 800.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen donor for hydrogen donor diluent cracking is provided by extraction with naphtha from the cracked product and hydrogenation by hydrogen transfer from a lower boiling hydrogen donor such as tetralin.

Abstract: A process for converting high-boiling crude oil having a high content of nondistillable residue which crude oil contains metals and asphaltenes by donor solvent hydrovisbreaking is disclosed wherein the process is carried out near the carbonization temperature limit in the presence of a hydrogen donor. The hydrogen donor can be one derived from the crude itself, from a similar crude oil, or from the distillate product of said donor solvent hydrovisbreaking.

Abstract: Method for converting a heavy or high boiling fraction oil to separate upgraded products, namely synthetic natural gas and carbon-coated aluminum, by hydrocracking the residual oil in the presence of particulate alumina at elevated temperature and pressure. The product streams, carbon-impregnated alumina and hydrocracked gaseous products, upon purification, are each of separate value. Economics of the process are improved by integration of certain purification steps and by the provision of hydrogen, for the hydrocracking process, by recycle from separated hydrogen in the synthetic natural gas stream and from partial oxidation of an additional portion of residual oil feedstock and separated heavy aromatics from the hydrocracking unit.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbonaceous oil is provided in which the oil is hydrorefined, heat-treated and hydrocracked to increase the selectivity of the hydrocracked product to components boiling in the range of 350.degree. to 675.degree. F.

Abstract: Heavy carbonaceous liquid having a melting point below 250.degree. C. is upgraded to lighter products by hydrogen donor solvent cracking, using recycled solvent derived at least in part from a middle distillate fraction of either the heavy carbonaceous liquid or from the cracked products which is subjected to one or more catalytic hydroprocessing steps before recycling.

Abstract: Liquid product yields produced by coking a mixture of a shale oil residuum and a petroleum residuum are improved by including in the feed to be coked a hydrogen catalyst.

Abstract: An improved process is described for the hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon oil, such as oils extracted from tar sands. The charge oil in the presence of an excess of hydrogen is passed through a tubular hydrocracking zone, and the effluent emerging from the top of the zone is separated into a gaseous stream containing a wide boiling range material and a liquid stream containing heavy hydrocarbons. According to the novel feature, the charge stock is in the form of a slurry of heavy hydrocarbon oil and finely divided fly ash or high ash coal fines. The presence of this ash in the charge stock serves to greatly reduce coke precursors and thereby prevent the formation of carbonaceous deposits in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A hydropyrolysis process for upgrading heavy, high molecular weight feedstocks such as coal-derived liquids, petroleum crudes, tar sand bitumens, shale oils, bottom residues from process streams, and the like, to lighter, lower molecular weight liquid products. The process includes subjecting the feedstocks to pyrolysis in the presence of hydrogen under carefully controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. The process can be defined as hydrogen-modified, thermal cracking in the specific temperature range of 450.degree. C. to 650.degree. C. and in the hydrogen pressure range of about 120 psi to 2250 psi. The amount of hydrogen present can be varied according to the type of feedstock and the liquid product desired. Although the hydrogen is not consumed in large amounts, it does participate in and modifies the process, and thereby provides a means of controlling the process as to the molecular weight range and structural type distribution of the liquid products.

Abstract: Heavy liquid hydrocarbon oil, such as petroleum derived tars, predominantly boiling over 425.degree. C., are upgraded to products boiling below 425.degree. C., without substantial formation of insoluble char, by heating the heavy oil with hydrogen and a hydrogen transfer solvent in the absence of hydrogenation catalyst at temperatures of about 320.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and a pressure of 20 to 180 bar for 3 to 30 minutes. The hydrogen transfer solvents are polycyclic compounds free of carbonyl groups, e.g., pyrene, and have a polarographic reduction potential which is less negative than phenanthrene and equal to or more negative than azapyrene.

Abstract: An improved process is described for the hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon oils, such as oils extracted from tar sands. The heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstock in the presence of an excess of hydrogen is passed through a confined hydrocracking zone under upflow liquid conditions, and the effluent emerging from the top of the hydrocracking zone is passed into a hot separator where it is separated into a gaseous stream containing hydrogen and vaporous hydrocarbons and a liquid stream containing heavy hydrocarbons. The hot separator is maintained near the temperature of the hydrocracking zone and the effluent from the hydrocracking zone enters the separator in a lower region below the liquid level in the separator.

Abstract: Conversion of coal to products soluble in common solvents and conversion of coal tar to products of lower molecular weight, effected in liquid or fused reaction medium using a hydrogenating reactant, are carried out employing hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide as the sole or major hydrogenating reactant, without need of elemental hydrogen or a hydrogen donor solvent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for hydrocracking coal or other carbonaceous material to produce various aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, phenol and cresols in variable relative concentrations while maintaining a near constant maximum temperature. Variations in relative aromatic concentrations are achieved by changing the kinetic severity of the hydrocracking reaction by altering the temperature profile up to and quenching from the final hydrocracking temperature. The relative concentration of benzene to the alkyl and hydroxyl aromatics is increased by imposing increased kinetic severity above that corresponding to constant heating rate followed by immediate quenching at about the same rate to below the temperature at which dehydroxylation and dealkylation reactions appreciably occur.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock derived from crude oil or other sources is subjected continuously to thermal cracking under pressure and in the presence of hydrogen in order to convert the feedstock to products of lower molecular weight containing high proportions of olefinic components. In a first processing step, a catalytic hydrogenating pretreatment is performed at a temperature within the range of 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. and under a pressure within the range of 12 to 85 bars. In a second step, a thermal cracking treatment is performed under a pressure within the range of 10 to 70 bars with residence times of less than 0.5 second and at a temperature within the range of 625.degree. C. to 1,000.degree. C., the quantity of hydrogen employed being such that the molar concentration in the effluents is at least equal to 20%.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of gas oil from residual oils by combination of two stages of thermal cracking, cyclone separation, vacuum distillation, deasphalting, atmospheric distillation, and recycling of certain streams.

Abstract: Refining of crude petroleum by fractionally distilling the crude into lighter cuts and distillate bottoms constituting more than 50% of the crude. Hydrogenating the distillate bottoms at a temperature above 700.degree. C. in a tubular reactor to produce saturated hydrocarbons, some gas and a solid carbonaceous material. Separating the solid material in a cyclone and returning the hydrogenated oil to the fractionating column. Passing the solid carbonaceous material by an extruder to a second tubular reactor in contact with a mixture at a temperature above 750.degree. C. of steam, 1 and 2 carbon atom gases, and combustion products containing O.sub.2 from a third cyclone. Discharging the reaction products containing unreacted carbonaceous material together with substantially no O.sub.2, production of H.sub.2 and increased amounts of CO and CO.sub.2 into a second cyclone. Separating the gaseous products from the solid, recovering H.sub.2 and passing it to the first reactor tube.

Abstract: Deposition of ammonium chloride from gaseous streams is prevented by maintaining the temperature of the gaseous stream above the deposition temperature for ammonium chloride at operating pressure. The invention is particularly useful in hydrocarbon hydrogen treating processes in which hydrogen recycle streams containing ammonium chloride or ammonium chloride-forming constituents must be recompressed before recycle to the hydrogen treating process.

Abstract: A process for preparing benzene which involves heating a selected hydrocarbon stock containing condensed polynuclear aromatic rings in the presence of hydrogen under critical reaction conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process are provided whereby constituents of liquid mixtures eg non-distillate oils are vaporized under non-decomposing conditions in the presence of gases. Liquid components form a stream comprising the gas, vaporized and liquid constituents of the mixture are removed from the stream. Process may be employed to provide a vaporized feedstock for the non-catalytic thermal hydrogenation of hydrocarbon-based materials in the production of methane containing gases wherein the gas used for vaporization is the same as that used for the subsequent hydrogenation steps.

Abstract: Production of ethylene is disclosed by a route which involves hydrocracking of a C.sub.3 or higher feedstock, e.g. a gas oil, followed by ethane pyrolysis. The feedstock/hydrogen ratio is chosen to favor C.sub.2 production (mainly ethane but also a small proportion of ethylene) in the hydrogenation zone and the reaction is prevented from self-quenching by supplying to the hydrocracking reaction zone hot combustion gases produced by at least partial oxidation of a fuel.

Abstract: A novel hydrocarbonylation, i.e., decarbonylation in the presence of hydrogen, is disclosed. By applying hydrodecarbonylation to a series of reactions, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene can be obtained in high yield from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or heavy oils containing such materials. Thus, the present invention provides a method of effective utilization of carbon sources.

Abstract: A process for preparing benzene which involves heating a hydrocarbon stock containing polynuclear aromatic rings and having critical hydrogen to carbon atomic ratios in the presence of hydrogen under critical reaction conditions.

Abstract: A thermal cracking process comprising thermally cracking a non-deasphalted residual oil in a thermal cracking zone containing a fixed bed of inert solids.

Abstract: A process for producing and upgrading carbonaceous tars including adding the carbonaceous material into a first reaction zone of a reactor having at least two reaction zones; adding hot hydrogen to the stream of carbonaceous material to effect a reaction with same to produce reaction products; quenching the mixture while insuring that the total residence time varies from about 2 milliseconds to about 2 seconds; removing at least a portion of the reaction products from the quenched mixture; introducing the residual carbonaceous material into a subsequent reaction zone and repeating the steps for the subsequent reaction zone; and introducing carbonaceous tars produced directly into a fluid coking zone to obtain gas, upgraded coal tars, and hot coke.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and selenium contaminants from a hydrocarbonaceous fluid, such as a synthetic crude oil and fractions thereof, is disclosed. In the disclosed method, the hydrocarbonaceous fluid, containing the contaminant is subjected to a heat treating step for a period of time sufficient to form a precipitate. The thus treated hydrocarbonaceous fluid can then be separated from the precipitate to recover a hydrocarbonaceous fluid having a reduced contaminant content.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen donor diluent cracking process for upgrading hydrogen deficient hydrocarbonaceous materials such as petroleum residua to more valuable liquid distillates. The hydrogen donor diluent, which is a material that has been partially hydrogenated and which readily gives up hydrogen under thermal cracking conditions, is injected into the cracking unit at a plurality of points so that the ratio of the rate of hydrogen transfer to the rate of cracking is more uniform throughout the cracking unit than if all the hydrogen donor diluent is injected with the feed charge to the cracking unit.

Abstract: Benzene yields from hydrodealkylation of alkylaromatics are improved by adding diphenyl to the feed hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as atmospheric and vacuum residua, heavy crude oils and the like, are converted to predominantly liquid hydrocarbon products by contacting said feedstocks in the presence of hydrogen with a regenerable alkali metal carbonate molten medium containing a glass-forming oxide, such as boron oxide, at a temperature in the range of from above about the melting point of said molten medium to about 1000.degree.F. and at elevated pressures. Preferably, the regenerable molten medium comprises an oxide of boron in combination with a mixture of sodium and lithium carbonate or a mixture of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and lithium carbonate. The carbonaceous materials (coke) which are formed in the molten medium during the above-described conversion process are gasified by contacting said carbonaceous materials with a gaseous stream containing oxygen, steam, or carbon dioxide at temperatures of from above about the melting point of said medium to about 2000.degree.F.